Sixteen Months

Before we proceed with the monthly update, all of us here at Walt's World would like to extend a special welcome to the Bush baby boys who arrived in the world shortly before ten o'clock this morning.  John Carroll weighed in at 5 lbs.,  3 oz. and Henry Arnold at 4 lbs., 10 oz.  Henry is in the NICU tonight for observation, but they expect him to be joining his parents and brother tomorrow.  We are so happy they are here safe and sound and Walt can't wait to start teaching them all his tricks!  Hopefully we'll have pics of the newbies soon.  And now, on with our regularly scheduled programming . . .

To be perfectly honest, there aren't a whole lot of new tricks to report this month.  He's pretty much got the walking thing down, although anything quicker than a walk usually results in a fall, shortly followed by a huge bruise on his noggin.  At one point this month, this is what our poor child looked like:

Does this not look like Exhibit A in some kind of assault trial?  I promise, we do not beat the child.  Or tie his shoelaces together.  Or in any way encourage him to push the limits of his physical capabilities.  On the contrary, we are constantly telling him to slow down, but he has yet to grasp the fact that his coordination has not quite caught up with his ambition.  Short of putting down shag carpet over the hardwood floors or getting him a helmet, I don't think there's anything we can do but wait this phase out.  And hope no one calls child services on us.

Walt is still doing a lot of signing, but not much talking yet.  He definitely understands a lot of what we're saying, and proved it to Nana this weekend when, after she mentioned bubbles while playing with him outside, he led her inside and directly to his bubbles.  She was quite impressed.  (Although, to be fair, she's impressed with a lot of things he does.  She might be biased.  I'm not sure.)  He can point out all kinds of things in his books, bring you the toys you ask for, and start signing "more" frantically when you ask him if he's hungry, but he's still playing the strong, silent type.  I probably shouldn't complain, though, because I have a feeling that once he starts, he may never  stop talking.  Maybe I'll just enjoy the quiet for now.

I guess the main development of this month is that he has just become a lot more fun.  I'm not sure if it has to do with his improved mobility or his greater understanding of the world around him, but he just wants to be a part of everything.  And, as it turns out, everything is fun!

A good time is being had by all.